DESFERRIOXAMINE THERAPY ACCELERATES CLEARANCE OF IRON DEPOSITS AFTER BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANTATION FOR THALASSEMIA

We treated 18 heavily iron-loaded patients who had become ex-thalassae mics after bone marrow transplantation with subcutaneous desferrioxami ne therapy for 5-20 months. As determined using serum ferritin concent ration, transferrin saturation and stainable liver iron obtained in fo llow-up biopsies, marked decreases in body iron stores were observed w ith this regimen. Moreover, the liver function tests demonstrate a tre nd to normalization in all cases. Local skin reactions to desferrioxam ine were the only toxicities observed. We conclude that pharmacologica l iron chelation is a safe and effective therapy in the reduction of i ron deposits in this clinical situation; it therefore represents a val id alternative to phlebotomy in selected patients.